Angel of Shavano Approach

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

From the summer trailhead of Shavano/Tabeguache, there are obvious signs for the Mt Shavano trail and the Colorado Trail. Follow these to roughly 11,000' where you can choose to either continue skinning up the Mt Shavano trail to the summit, or continue straight up the obvious Angel of Shavano gully you are already in, straight to the summit. Line choice here will be fluid based on conditions (this spring approach line takes the hiking trail, the winter approach description takes the gully mainline up the angel - snow conditions will likely dictate the best approach).

From the summit, walk or ski down to where there's snow, the left or right arm of the angel may hold better snow or more snow in different seasons, and ski back down to the intersection of the Shavano Trail and the Colorado Trail.

This trail may have drifts, snowshoes can come in handy.

The angel will be an obvious snow field between the two buttresses. Scramble down to it when you get above the line you want to take.